TO YIELD IS TO WIN

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

TO YIELD IS TO WIN
McDONOUGH, GA: Lena was in a small hurry and drove across an intersection where her view was obstructed by a homeowners decorative corner bushes. Harry, coming on the cross street barely had time to skid to a stop a scant foot from Lena's front door. Both would have saved all that heart stress by slowing or stopping and then easing into the uncontrolled intersection.

Failure to yield the right-of-way is the second most frequent cause of crashes for Seniors. Remember though, that the claimant of the right-of-way has the duty to use due care for the safety of self and others. Older drivers who may have some loss of reaction time, hearing, vision, or head/neck mobility should be especially careful at cross streets where signs, vegetation or buildings block the line of sight.

Auto safety experts reported that in Y2006 over 17, 000 GA drivers age 50 and older became safer drivers by completion of a classroom defensive driving program. In addition they were eligible for an extra 10% insurance premium reduction provided by the GA Legislature with no use of scarce tax moneys.
GHD156 all rights reserved

SLOW DRIVING NOT ALWAYS SAFE

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

SLOW DRIVING NOT ALWAYS SAFE
ALL OVER THE USA: Several months ago we discussed unsafe slow drivers at the top of a hill. Since then many readers have asked what is regarded as slow driving. Most states have regulations on this. In general, a vehicle moving at 10 mph less than the posted minimum is "slow moving". If a line of 5 or more vehicles forms behind, some states require that the slow vehicle must turn off or pull over to the side where it is safe to do so. Many roads, of course, do not have a posted minimum speed.

The problem with slow movers is that they encourage impatient others to pass them even when it is unsafe or unlawful to do so. Thereby the slow mover may be involved in a crash just because someone behind was in a hurry. We all know that some vehicles, large trucks or disabled cars, may move slowly. What really frustrates us are those "Sunday drivers" who could move in keeping with the traffic but will not. They lack the courtesy to move over as may be required by law in their state.
GHD155 all rights reserved

SIRENS, HORNS, FLASHING LIGHTS

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

SIRENS, HORNS, FLASHING LIGHTS
HOT SPRINGS, AR: Ren and Ben were driving along in moderate traffic on the town square (really a triangle). Suddenly, over the noise of the AC fan, they heard the sirens and horns of an ambulance behind them. Its flashing lights helped them to follow its progress in the mirrors. Being in the right-hand lane they were able to pull over to the curb and let the Rescue Squad pass. Sadly, some vehicles, perhaps with radios on high volume, failed to move over.

The law says we must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. Sometimes, in heavy traffic with multiple lanes that is impractical. The next best action is to just stop and allow the emergency vehicle to maneuver through the tangle. Move when it is obvious that you should, when for instance, the emergency vehicle is trapped in the traffic. Always be alert for more such vehicles coming from the same or other directions. They are on a life-saving mission and all-too-often we impede them, putting them and ourselves in danger.
GHD1154 all rights reserved

LIMITED ACCESS ROADS ARE SAFER

WRECK-LESS DRIVING©
by Gunther Doerfert, Auto Safety Columnist

LIMITED ACCESS ROADS ARE SAFER
POSEYVILLE, IN: We drove mostly on the "back" roads on our way to speak at the Illinois Older Driver Summit. It was sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging. State highways have many more interesting sights and reasons to stop and look. Interstates are designed to move traffic quickly from point to point. They are not meant to be scenic routes, though a few do pass through some breath taking gorgeous places such as I-26 and I-40 through the TN mountains.

Did you know that despite their higher speeds the limited access roads are safer per mile driven than the slower "back" roads? Frequently older drivers avoid the Interstates because the high speed of other vehicles makes them feel unsafe. And perhaps feeling that way they are less safe out there than on slower roads. But they need to be aware that the crash statistics show the opposite. Thus, older drivers need to learn how to cope with the traffic on all types of roads and to compensate for their declining physical capabilities. While behind-the-wheel driver retraining is costly and difficult to find, the many classroom refresher courses are economical and do produce safer senior drivers.
GHD153 all rights reserved